Circuit board having semiconductor chip embedded therein

ABSTRACT

A circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein includes: a core board having opposing first and second surfaces and a through-hole; a semiconductor chip received in the through-hole and having a first active surface and an opposing second active surface, wherein first electrode pads comprising signal pads, power pads, and ground pads are provided on the first active surface; a first dielectric layer provided on the first surface of the core board and the first active surface of the semiconductor chip and configured to fill a gap between the through-hole and the semiconductor chip so as to secure the semiconductor chip in position to the through-hole; and a first circuit layer disposed in the first dielectric layer so as to be flush with the first dielectric layer, provided with first conductive vias disposed in the first dielectric layer, and electrically connected to the first electrode pads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With electronic products becoming smaller, thinner, and more compact, a typical package substrate for carrying a semiconductor chip or electronic components has to be downsized. Semiconductor manufacturers developed various packages, and one of which is ball grid array (BGA). An advanced semiconductor package technology, BGA enables more I/O connections to be provided in a unit area of a package substrate so as to meet requirements for integration of a semiconductor chip.

However, with a conventional BGA semiconductor package, a semiconductor chip is adhered to a package substrate and then undergoes wire bonding, or a semiconductor chip is flip-chip-connected to a package substrate before solder balls are implanted on the back of the package substrate for electrical connection. In so doing, BGA achieves a high pin number and yet causes drawbacks: during high-frequency or high-speed operation, wires with long conduction paths prevent enhancement of electric characteristics and thereby restrict performance; and performing the step of interface connecting repeatedly incurs high manufacturing costs.

To efficiently enhance electric quality and meet the demand for products of the next generation, manufacturers endeavor to study how to embed a semiconductor chip in a package substrate to enable direct electrical connection so as to shorten a path of electrical conduction, reduce signal loss and signal distortion, and enhance performance during high-speed operation.

Referring to FIG. 1A through FIG. 1G, schematic views of a conventional circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein during a fabrication process thereof are shown.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a substrate body 10 is provided. The substrate body 10 has a first surface 10 a, an opposing second surface 10 b, and a through-hole 100 disposed in the substrate body 10 to penetrate the first surface 10 a and the second surface 10 b. A first core circuit layer 101 and a second core circuit layer 102 are disposed on the first surface 10 a and the second surface 10 b, respectively. A plurality of conductive vias 103 are disposed in the substrate body 10 to penetrate the first surface 10 a and the second surface 10 b and thereby electrically connect the first core circuit layer 101 and the second core circuit layer 102. A semiconductor chip 11 is received in the through-hole 100. The semiconductor chip 11 has an active surface 11 a and an opposing inactive surface 11 b. A plurality of electrode pads 111 are provided on the active surface 11 a

Referring to FIG. 1B, a first dielectric layer 12 a made of resin clad copper foil (RCC) and provided with a first metal layer 13 a thereon is laminated to the active surface 11 a of the semiconductor chip 22 and the first surface 10 a of the substrate body 10, and a second dielectric layer 12 b made of resin clad copper foil (RCC) and provided with a second metal layer 13 b thereon is laminated to the inactive surface 11 b of the semiconductor chip 11 and the second surface 10 b of the substrate body 10. The first dielectric layer 12 a and the second dielectric layer 12 b fill the through-hole 100 so as for the semiconductor chip 11 to be fixed in position to the through-hole 100.

Referring to FIG. 1C, a plurality of first apertures 120 a corresponding in position to the electrode pads 111 on the semiconductor chip 11 are disposed in the first dielectric layer 12 a and the first metal layer 13 a by laser drilling so as for a portion of the surface of the electrode pads 111 to be exposed. Likewise, a plurality of second apertures 120 b corresponding in position to a portion of the second core circuit layer 102 are disposed in the second dielectric layer 12 b and the second metal layer 13 b by laser drilling so as for a portion of the second core circuit layer 102 to be exposed to thereby form electrically connected to pads 102 a.

Referring to FIG. 1D, a first conductive layer 14 a is disposed on the first metal layer 13 a, the inner wall of the first apertures 120 a, and a portion of the electrode pads 111. Likewise, a second conductive layer 14 b is disposed on the second metal layer 13 b, the inner wall of the second apertures 120 b, and a portion of electrically connected to pads 102 a.

Referring to FIG. 1E, disposed on the first conductive layer 14 a is a first resist layer 15 a provided with a plurality of first opening areas 150 a for exposing a portion of the first conductive layer 14 a. Likewise, disposed on the second conductive layer 14 b is a second resist layer 15 b provided with a plurality of second opening areas 150 b for exposing a portion of the second conductive layer 14 b.

Referring to FIG. 1F, a first circuit layer 16 a and a second circuit layer 16 b are disposed on the exposed portions of the first conductive layer 14 a and the second conductive layer 14 b exposed from the first opening areas 150 a and the second opening areas 150 b, respectively, and disposed in the first apertures 120 a are a plurality of first conductive vias 161 a for electrically connecting with the electrode pads 111 on the semiconductor chip 11. Likewise, disposed in the second apertures 120 b are a plurality of second conductive vias 161 b for electrically connecting with pads 102 a.

Referring to FIG. 1G, the first conductive layer 14 a and the first metal layer 13 a beneath the first resist layer 15 a are removed to expose the first circuit layer 16 a and the first dielectric layer 12 a. Likewise, the second resist layer 15 b and the second conductive layer 14 b and the second metal layer 13 b beneath the second resist layer 15 b are removed to expose the second circuit layer 16 b and the second dielectric layer 12 b.

Embedding the semiconductor chip 11 in the through-hole 100 solves problems arising from a long path of electrical conduction of a wire of the prior art, but the first metal layer 13 a completely covers the first dielectric layer 12 a and thereby covers an alignment target of the semiconductor chip 11, and in consequence during a process of forming the first apertures 120 a in the first metal layer 13 a and the first dielectric layer 12 a by laser drilling, the first metal layer 13 a affects the standard alignment of laser drilling and therefore compromises the preciseness in positioning the aperture; as a result, it is difficult to accurately align the first apertures 120 a with the electrode pads 111 on the semiconductor chip 11, respectively. This has an unfavorable effect on electrical connection of the electrode pads 111 and the first conductive vias 161 a subsequently provided in the first apertures 120 a, and thus reliability of electrical connection is compromised.

The first circuit layer 16 a is disposed on the first dielectric layer 12 a. On the first metal layer 13 a, a metal layer is provided by plating the first circuit layer 16 a to the first conductive layer 14 a and then by removing the first resist layer 15 a and the first conductive layer 14 a and the first metal layer 13 a beneath the first resist layer 15 a by chemical etching. However, removing the first conductive layer 14 a and the first metal layer 13 a otherwise covered by the first resist layer 15 a causes the line-width side of the first circuit layer 16 a to be removed by etching. Hence, it is necessary to allow for a relatively large line width of the first circuit layer 16 a so as to avoid etching. In so doing, reduction of the line width and pitch of the first circuit layer 16 a is infeasible to the detriment of a high-density layout.

In addition, owing to advancement of technology, to meet the demand for multiplexing and high-frequency functionality, the electrode pads 111 on the semiconductor chip 11 are becoming closer to each other, wherein the electrode pads 111 comprise power pads and signal pads. If the signal pads are too close to each other, noise will be generated as a result of interference from between the semiconductor chips 11 in high-frequency operation, thus resulting in signal distortion and deterioration of electric performance.

Accordingly, manufacturers are confronted with an urgent issue that involves providing a semiconductor package having a semiconductor chip embedded therein with a view to overcoming drawbacks of the prior art, namely: a circuit is made from a metal layer that affects an alignment target, and thus conductive vias in the circuit layer are unlikely to be electrically connected to the electrode pads on the semiconductor chip accurately; the conventional circuit layer does not feature fine pitches and therefore is unfavorable for a high-density layout; and during high-frequency operation of the semiconductor chip, closely-provided signal pads bring about interference-induced noise, thus resulting in signal distortion and deterioration of electric performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein, so as to overcome a drawback of the prior art, namely a circuit is made from a metal layer that affects an alignment target, and thus conductive vias in the circuit layer are unlikely to be electrically connected to the electrode pads on the semiconductor chip accurately.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein, so as to provide fine pitches that facilitate a high-density layout and thereby enhance electric performance.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein, so as to overcome a drawback of the prior art, namely, during high-frequency operation of the semiconductor chip, closely-provided signal pads bring about interference-induced noise, thus resulting in signal distortion and deterioration of electric performance.

To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein. The circuit board comprises: a core board having opposing first and second surfaces and a through-hole penetrating the first and second surfaces; a semiconductor chip received in the through-hole and having a first active surface and an opposing second active surface, wherein a plurality of first electrode pads comprising signal pads, power pads, and ground pads are provided on the first active surface; a first dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the core board and the first active surface of the semiconductor chip and configured to fill a gap between the through-hole and the semiconductor chip so as for the semiconductor chip to be fixed in position to the through-hole; and a first circuit layer disposed in the first dielectric layer so as to be flush with the first dielectric layer, provided with a plurality of first conductive vias disposed in the first dielectric layer, and electrically connected to the first electrode pads provided on the semiconductor chip, wherein the first circuit layer has a plurality of series-connection portions.

Regarding a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein as disclosed in the present invention, the core board is an insulated board, and the second active surface of the semiconductor chip is an inactive surface.

A passivation layer is disposed on the first active surface of the semiconductor chip. The first electrode pads are disposed on the passivation layer and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip. An alignment target is disposed in a clean area of the semiconductor chip, or one of the first electrode pads is the alignment target.

A plurality of first vias and first trenches are disposed in the first dielectric layer. Portions of the first trenches are in communication with the first vias. The first circuit layer is disposed in the first trenches. The first conductive vias are disposed in the first vias. The series-connection portions of the first circuit layer are electrically connected to at least two said power pads; alternatively, the series-connection portions are electrically connected to at least two said ground pads.

The circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein further comprises a first build-up structure disposed on the first dielectric layer and the first circuit layer, the first build-up structure comprising a second dielectric layer having second vias and second trenches, a second circuit layer disposed in the second trenches of the second dielectric layer and flush with the second dielectric layer, and a plurality of second conductive vias disposed in the second vias of the second dielectric layer, allowing the second conductive vias to be electrically connected to the first and second circuit layers, the second circuit layer on top of the first build-up structure to be provided with the first electrical contact pads, the first build-up structure to be covered with a first solder mask layer, and a portion of a surface of the first electrical contact pads to be exposed from a plurality of first solder mask layer openings in the first solder mask layer.

In another embodiment further provided by the present invention, the core board is configured to be a circuit board having circuits thereon, provided with a core circuit layer on the first surface and the second surface of the core board, and provided with a plating through hole or fourth conductive vias penetrating the core board for electrically connecting the core circuit layer on the first and second surfaces of the core board. The second active surface of the semiconductor chip is an inactive surface. A second solder mask layer is provided on the second surface of the core board. A plurality of solder mask layer openings are provided in the second solder mask layer to expose the inactive surface of the semiconductor chip.

The present invention provides a further embodiment. The core board is configured to be a circuit board having circuits thereon, provided with a core circuit layer on the first surface and the second surface of the core board, and provided with a conductive via or fourth conductive vias penetrating the core board for electrically connecting the core circuit layer on the first and second surfaces of the core board. The second active surface of the semiconductor chip is an inactive surface. A second build-up structure is provided on the second surface of the core board. The second build-up structure comprises: a third dielectric layer having third vias and third trenches, a third circuit layer disposed in the third trenches of the third dielectric layer and flush with the third dielectric layer, and a plurality of third conductive vias disposed in the third vias of the third dielectric layer and electrically connected to the third circuit layer, wherein a plurality of second electrical contact pads are provided on the third circuit layer on top of the second build-up structure, and the second build-up structure is covered with a second solder mask layer having a plurality of second solder mask layer openings provided therein for exposing a portion of a surface of the second electrical contact pads.

The first dielectric layer and third dielectric layer fill a gap between the through-hole of the core board and the semiconductor chip so as for the semiconductor chip to be fixed in position to the through-hole.

The present invention provides a further embodiment. A plurality of second electrode pads are provided on the second active surface of the semiconductor chip. A second build-up structure provided on the second surface of the core board and the second active surface of the semiconductor chip. The second build-up structure comprises: at least a third dielectric layer having third vias and third trenches, a third circuit layer provided in the third trenches of the third dielectric layer and flush the third dielectric layer, and a plurality of third conductive vias provided in the third vias of the third dielectric layer and electrically connected to the third circuit layer and second electrode pads, allowing the third circuit layer on top of the second build-up structure to be provided with a plurality of second electrical contact pads, the second build-up structure to be covered with a second solder mask layer, and a portion of a surface of the second electrical contact pads to be exposed from a plurality of second solder mask layer openings in the second solder mask layer.

The first dielectric layer and third dielectric layer fill a gap between the through-hole of the core board and the semiconductor chip so as for the semiconductor chip to be fixed in position to the through-hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A through FIG. 1G are schematic views of a conventional circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein described by reference to a fabrication process of the conventional circuit board;

FIG. 2A through FIG. 2G are cross-sectional views of a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein described by reference to a fabrication process of the circuit board according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A′ is a top elevational view of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2F′ is a top elevational view of FIG. 2F; and

FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

To enable persons skilled in the art to gain insight into technical features and effects of the present invention, the present invention is hereunder illustrated with preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Referring to FIG. 2A through FIG. 2G, cross-sectional views of a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein according to the present invention are shown.

Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2A′, a core board 20 is provided, and the core board 20 is an insulated board. The core board 20 has a first surface 20 a and an opposing second surface 20 b, and has a through-hole 200 disposed in the core board 20 to penetrate the first surface 20 a and the second surface 20 b. A semiconductor chip 21 is received in the through-hole 200. The semiconductor chip 21 has a first active surface 21 a and an opposing second active surface 21 b. A passivation layer 22 is provided on the first active surface 21 a. A plurality of first electrode pads are disposed on the passivation layer 22. The first electrode pads comprise signal pads 211, power pads 212, and ground pads 213. The first electrode pads are electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 21. An alignment target is disposed in a clean area of the semiconductor chip 21, or one of the first electrode pads is the alignment target (not shown). The second active surface 21 b is an inactive surface.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a first dielectric layer 23 a is disposed on the first surface 20 a of the core board 20 and the first active surface 21 a of the semiconductor chip 21. The first dielectric layer 23 a fills a gap between the through-hole 200 and the semiconductor chip 21 so as for the semiconductor chip 21 to be fixed in position to the through-hole 200.

Referring to FIG. 2C, a plurality of first vias 231 a and first trenches 232 a are disposed in the first dielectric layer 23 a. A portion of a surface of the signal pads 211, the power pads 212 and the ground pads 213 is exposed from the first vias 231 a. A portion of the first trenches 232 a is in communication with the first vias 231 a. Forming the first vias 231 a and the first trenches 232 a entails forming a resist layer on the first dielectric layer 23 a, etching the first dielectric layer 23 a by lithography configured for patterning, and removing a portion of the first dielectric layer 23 a by a laser beam. Alternatively, a photoresist layer configured for patterning is not applied to the surface of the first dielectric layer 23 a; instead, forming the first vias 231 a and the first trenches 232 a entails etching the first dielectric layer 23 a by plasma or reactive ion etching and removing a portion of the first dielectric layer 23 a by a laser beam.

Referring to FIG. 2D, a conductive layer 24 is disposed on the first dielectric layer 23 a, the inner wall of the first vias 231 a, the inner wall of the first trenches 232 a, and the first electrode pads by sputtering (physical deposition) or electroless plating (chemical deposition). The conductive layer 24 functions as a path of electrical conduction required for metal electroplating (described later). The conductive layer 24 is made of a metal or an alloy or comprises a plurality of metal layers deposited. Specifically speaking, the conductive layer 24 is made of copper, tin, nickel, chromium, titanium, or copper-chromium alloy. Alternatively, the conductive layer 24 is made of a conductive polymer, such as polyacetylenel, polyaniline, or organosulfide.

Referring to FIG. 2E, during its fabrication process, the circuit board comprises a metal layer 25 disposed on the conductive layer 24, a first circuit layer 25 a disposed in the first trenches 232 a, a plurality of first conductive vias 251 a disposed in the first vias 231 a for electrically connecting with the first electrode pads, wherein the first circuit layer 25 a has a plurality of series-connection portions 252 a.

Referring to FIG. 2F and FIG. 2F′, the metal layer 25 disposed on the first vias 231 a and on the first trenches 232 a and functioning not as the first circuit layer 25 a and the conductive layer 24 otherwise covered by the metal layer 25 are removed, so as for the first circuit layer 25 a to be flush with the first dielectric layer 23 a, as shown in FIG. 2F. Also, the series-connection portions 252 a of the first circuit layer 25 a are electrically connected to at least two said power pads 212 or at least two said ground pads 213, so as to reduce noise and enhance electric performance, as shown in FIG. 2F′.

Referring to FIG. 2G, a first build-up structure 26 a is provided on the first dielectric layer 23 a and the first circuit layer 25 a. The first build-up structure 26 a comprises: a second dielectric layer 23 b having second vias 231 b and second trenches 232 b, a second circuit layer 25 b disposed in the second trenches 232 b of the second dielectric layer 23 b and flush with the second dielectric layer 23 b, and a plurality of second conductive vias 251 b disposed in the second vias 231 b of the second dielectric layer 23 b, allowing the second conductive vias 251 b to be electrically connected to the first circuit layer 25 a and the second circuit layer 25 b, the first electrical contact pads 264 a to be provided on the first build-up structure 26 a, a first solder mask layer 27 a to be provided on the first build-up structure 26 a, and a portion of a surface of the first electrical contact pads 264 a to be exposed from a plurality of first solder mask layer openings 271 a in the first solder mask layer 27 a.

The present invention further provides a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein. The circuit board comprises: a core board 20 having a first surface 20 a, an opposing second surface 20 b, and a through-hole 200 disposed in the core board 20 to penetrate the first and second surfaces 20 a, 20 b; a semiconductor chip 21 received in the through-hole 200 and having a first active surface 21 a and an opposing second active surface 21 b, wherein a plurality of first electrode pads comprising signal pads 211, power pads 212, and ground pads 213 are disposed on the first active surface 21 a; a first dielectric layer 23 a provided on the first surface 20 a of the core board 20 and the first active surface 21 a of the semiconductor chip 21 and configured to fill a gap between the through-hole 200 and the semiconductor chip 21 so as for the semiconductor chip 21 to be fixed in position to the through-hole 200; and the first circuit layer 25 a disposed in the first dielectric layer 23 a so as to be flush with the first dielectric layer 23 a, provided with a plurality of first conductive vias 251 a disposed in the first dielectric layer 23 a, and electrically connected to the first electrode pads provided on the semiconductor chip 21, wherein the first circuit layer 25 a has a plurality of series-connection portions 252 a.

Regarding the circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein, the core board 20 is an insulated board, and the second active surface 21 b of the semiconductor chip 21 is an inactive surface. The first dielectric layer 23 a has a plurality of first vias 231 a and first trenches 232 a. Portions of the first trenches 232 a are in communication with the first vias 231 a. The first circuit layer 25 a is disposed in the first trenches 232 a. The first conductive vias 251 a are disposed in the first vias 231 a. The series-connection portions 252 a are electrically connected to at least two said power pads 212. Alternatively, the series-connection portions 252 a are electrically connected to at least two said ground pads 213.

A passivation layer 22 is disposed on the first active surface 21 a of the semiconductor chip 21. The first electrode pads are provided on the passivation layer 22 and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip 21. An alignment target is disposed in a clean area of the semiconductor chip 21, or one of the first electrode pads is the alignment target.

The circuit board further comprises a first build-up structure 26 a provided on the first dielectric layer 23 a and the first circuit layer 25 a. The first build-up structure 26 a comprises: a second dielectric layer 23 b having second vias 231 b and second trenches 232 b; a second circuit layer 25 b disposed in the second trenches 232 b of the second dielectric layer 23 b and flush with the second dielectric layer 23 b, and a plurality of second conductive vias 251 b disposed in the second vias 231 b of the second dielectric layer 23 b and electrically connected to the first circuit layer 25 a and the second circuit layer 25 b, allowing the first electrical contact pads 264 a to be provided on the first build-up structure 26 a, the first build-up structure 26 a to be covered with a first solder mask layer 27 a, and a portion of a surface of the first electrical contact pads 264 a to be exposed from a plurality of first solder mask layer openings 27 la in the first solder mask layer 27 a.

Referring to FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, cross-sectional views of another embodiment of a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein according to the present invention are shown.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the core board 20 is configured to be a circuit board having circuits thereon, provided with a core circuit layer 201 on the first surface 20 a and the second surface 20 b of the core board 20, and provided with a plating through hole 202 or fourth conductive vias 203 penetrating the core board 20 for electrically connecting the core circuit layer 201 on the first and second surfaces 20 a, 20 b of the core board 20. The second active surface 21 b of the semiconductor chip 21 is an inactive surface. A second solder mask layer 27 b is provided on the second surface 20 b of the core board 20. A plurality of second solder mask layer openings 271 b are provided in the second solder mask layer 27 b to expose the inactive surface of the semiconductor chip 21.

Referring to FIG. 3B, which is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 2G, the core board 20 is configured to be a circuit board having circuits thereon, and a second build-up structure 26 b is provided on the second surface 20 b of the core board 20. The second build-up structure 26 b comprises: a third dielectric layer 23 c having third vias 231 c and third trenches 232 c, a third circuit layer 25 c disposed in the third trenches 232 c of the third dielectric layer 23 c and flush with the third dielectric layer 23 c, and a plurality of third conductive vias 251 c disposed in the third vias 231 c of the dielectric layer 23 c and electrically connected to the third circuit layer 25 c, wherein a plurality of second electrical contact pads 264 b are disposed on the third circuit layer 25 c on top of the second build-up structure 26 b, and the second build-up structure 26 b is covered with a second solder mask layer 27 b having a plurality of second solder mask layer openings 271 b provided therein for exposing a portion of a surface of the second electrical contact pads 264 b. The first build-up structure 26 a and the second build-up structure 26 b which together sandwich the core board 20 are electrically connected to each other by means of the plating through hole 202 or the fourth conductive vias 203 which penetrates the core board 20.

The first dielectric layer 23 a and third dielectric layer 23 c fill a gap between the through-hole 200 of the core board 20 and the semiconductor chip 21 so as for the semiconductor chip 21 to be fixed in position to the through-hole 200.

Referring to FIG. 3C, which is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 2G, the core board 20 is a circuit board with circuits thereon. A plurality of second electrode pads 214 are provided on the second active surface 21 b of the semiconductor chip 21. A second build-up structure 26 b is provided on the second surface 20 b of the core board 20 and the second active surface 21 b of the semiconductor chip 21. The second build-up structure 26 b comprises: a third dielectric layer 23 c having third vias 231 c and the third trenches 232 c; a third circuit layer 25 c disposed in the third trenches 232 c of the third dielectric layer 23 c and flush with the third dielectric layer 23 c; and a plurality of third conductive vias 251 c disposed in the third vias 231 c of the third dielectric layer 23 c and electrically connected to the third circuit layer 25 c and second electrode pads 214, allowing a plurality of second electrical contact pads 264 b to be provided on the second build-up structure 26 b, the second build-up structure 26 b to be covered with a second solder mask layer 27 b, and a portion of a surface of the second electrical contact pads 264 b to be exposed from a plurality of second solder mask layer openings 271 b provided in the second solder mask layer 27 b. The first build-up structure 26 a and the second build-up structure 26 b which together sandwich the core board 20 are electrically connected to each other by means of the plating through hole 202 or the fourth conductive vias 203 which penetrates the core board 20.

The first dielectric layer 23 a and the third dielectric layer 23 c fill a gap between the through-hole 200 of the core board 20 and the semiconductor chip 21 so as for the semiconductor chip 21 to be fixed in position to the through-hole 200.

The present invention provides a circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein with a view to overcoming drawbacks of the prior art, namely: a circuit is made from a metal layer that affects a alignment target, and thus conductive vias in the circuit layer are unlikely to be electrically connected to the electrode pads on the semiconductor chip accurately; the conventional circuit layer does not feature fine pitches and therefore is unfavorable for a high-density layout; and during high-frequency operation of the semiconductor chip, closely-provided signal pads bring about interference-induced noise, thus resulting in signal distortion and deterioration of electric performance.

The foregoing specific embodiments are only illustrative of the features and functions of the present invention but are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that all equivalent modifications and variations made in the foregoing embodiments according to the spirit and principle in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A circuit board having a semiconductor chip embedded therein, comprising: a core board having opposing first and second surfaces and a through-hole penetrating the first and second surfaces; a semiconductor chip received in the through-hole and having a first active surface and an opposing second active surface, wherein a plurality of first electrode pads comprising signal pads, power pads, and ground pads are provided on the first active surface; a first dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the core board and the first active surface of the semiconductor chip and configured to fill a gap between the through-hole and the semiconductor chip so as for the semiconductor chip to be fixed in position to the through-hole; and a first circuit layer disposed in the first dielectric layer so as to be flush with the first dielectric layer, provided with a plurality of first conductive vias disposed in the first dielectric layer, and electrically connected to the first electrode pads provided on the semiconductor chip, wherein the first circuit layer has a plurality of series-connection portions.
 2. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the core board is an insulated board.
 3. The circuit board of claim 2, wherein the second active surface of the semiconductor chip is an inactive surface.
 4. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein a passivation layer is disposed on the first active surface of the semiconductor chip, allowing the first electrode pads to be provided on the passivation layer and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip.
 5. The circuit board of claim 1, further comprising an alignment target disposed in a clean area of the semiconductor chip or being one of the first electrode pads.
 6. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the first dielectric layer has a plurality of first vias and first trenches, and portions of the first trenches are in communication with the first vias, allowing the first circuit layer to be disposed in the first trenches and the first conductive vias in the first vias.
 7. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the series-connection portions are electrically connected to at least two said power pads.
 8. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the series-connection portions are electrically connected to at least two said ground pads.
 9. The circuit board of claim 1, further comprising a first build-up structure disposed on the first dielectric layer and the first circuit layer, the first build-up structure comprising: a second dielectric layer having second vias and second trenches, a second circuit layer disposed in the second trenches of the second dielectric layer and flush with the second dielectric layer, and a plurality of second conductive vias disposed in the second vias of the second dielectric layer, allowing the second conductive vias to be electrically connected to the first and second circuit layers, the second circuit layer on top of the first build-up structure to be provided with the first electrical contact pads, the first build-up structure to be covered with a first solder mask layer, and a portion of a surface of the first electrical contact pads to be exposed from a plurality of first solder mask layer openings in the first solder mask layer.
 10. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the core board is configured to be a circuit board having circuits thereon, provided with a core circuit layer on the first surface and the second surface of the core board, and provided with a plating through hole or fourth conductive vias penetrating the core board for electrically connecting the core circuit layer on the first and second surfaces of the core board.
 11. The circuit board of claim 10, wherein the second active surface of the semiconductor chip is an inactive surface.
 12. The circuit board of claim 11, further comprising a second solder mask layer disposed on the second surface of the core board and provided with a plurality of solder mask layer openings for exposing the inactive surface of the semiconductor chip.
 13. The circuit board of claim 10, further comprising a second build-up structure provided on the second surface of the core board, the second build-up structure comprising: a third dielectric layer having third vias and third trenches, a third circuit layer disposed in the third trenches of the third dielectric layer and flush with the third dielectric layer, and a plurality of third conductive vias disposed in the third vias of the third dielectric layer and electrically connected to the third circuit layer, wherein a plurality of second electrical contact pads are provided on the third circuit layer on top of the second build-up structure, and the second build-up structure is covered with a second solder mask layer having a plurality of second solder mask layer openings provided therein for exposing a portion of a surface of the second electrical contact pads.
 14. The circuit board of claim 13, wherein the first dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer fill a gap between the through-hole of the core board and the semiconductor chip so as for the semiconductor chip to be fixed in position to the through-hole.
 15. The circuit board of claim 1, wherein a plurality of second electrode pads are provided on the second active surface of the semiconductor chip.
 16. The circuit board of claim 15, further comprising a second build-up structure provided on the second surface of the core board and the second active surface of the semiconductor chip, the second build-up structure comprising: a third dielectric layer having third vias and third trenches, a third circuit layer disposed in the third trenches of the third dielectric layer and flush the third dielectric layer, and a plurality of third conductive vias disposed in the third vias of the third dielectric layer and electrically connected to the third circuit layer and second electrode pads, allowing the third circuit layer on top of the second build-up structure to be provided with a plurality of second electrical contact pads, the second build-up structure to be covered with a second solder mask layer, and a portion of a surface of the second electrical contact pads to be exposed from a plurality of second solder mask layer openings in the second solder mask layer.
 17. The circuit board of claim 16, wherein the first dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer fill a gap between the through-hole of the core board and the semiconductor chip so as for the semiconductor chip to be fixed in position to the through-hole. 